I suggest each of us pick a Texan to follow this season and report to MB on how your guy(s) does. Probably be best to select no more than two perhaps one offensive and one defensive. This allows more players to be chosen by different posters. The challenge is to not take the easy route & go with AJ, Foster, Schaub or JJ Watt. We know those types will be very good if not great so challenge yourself to select a rookie or 1-2 year vet. It is not about being able to say "Look at me! I told you Watt would have a good second year." Really, who would of thunk it? I'm asking you to go on a limb and maybe even pick someone you have doubts about. It would be as if I select Posier who I did not want or an end of roster guy who might not get reps like last season's Brandon Harris. If your guy gets cut, traded or placed on injured reserve, you can replace him.

I'd like you to focus on your guy during training camp, pre-season and regular season to give info to the MB. Info should be about skills, plays, personal info, charitable work and community interaction. Some different players should have radio & TV shows or interviews that you can tell us about. Internet and newspapers & sports magazines could provide data. Hopefully this will encourage us to take an even deeper view of our team.

When you post your selection tell us why you chose him. I'm optimistic many of you will put some thought into your decisions as this could give us something to discuss now & thru season. Everyone should post their selection by final roster determination.

drs23

07-04-2012, 11:09 AM

Do we need to spell their name correctly or can we call 'em anything we want? Umm, like Walters or Posier?:kitten:

:D

Dutchrudder

07-04-2012, 11:14 AM

I call dibs on Bryan Brahman!

Stemp

07-04-2012, 11:43 AM

I feel bad for the person who picks KJ

Ryan

07-04-2012, 11:44 AM

I'll take Brandon Harris.

Lucky

07-04-2012, 11:50 AM

I feel bad for the person who picks KJ
That would be 76Texan.

Mr. Texan

07-04-2012, 12:09 PM

johnathan joseph :kingkong:

or kareem jackson :choke:

i like cornerbacks :kitten:

ckhouston

07-04-2012, 12:19 PM

Randy Bullock

I believe he will be the starting kicker for us this year.

Just a bit about him:

During interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine, Houston Texans special teams coach Joe Marciano asked Texas A&M kicker Randy Bullock how he would handle his first adverse situation in the NFL.

"You've never had a slump," Marciano said. "What happens when you have your first one?"
Bullock, without blinking an eye, said, "Coach, my dad died when I was 15. How much more adversity is there?"

Bullock was a freshman at Klein High School in Houston in 2004 when he and his older brother, Rhett, went on a hunting trip to South Texas with their father, Rich. On the final day of the trip, two days before Christmas, Rich died of a heart attack. He was 53.

For his career, Bullock made 63 of 80 field-goal attempts.

His father was a petroleum engineer who graduated from Ohio State. His brother, Rhett, has a mechanical engineering degree from A&M.

"I have a lot of help in that industry," Bullock said. "I have a lot of contacts, so that definitely helps when looking for a job. Right now, though, this takes the cake. It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I didn't chase it, I didn't think I would ever forgive myself."

The Pencil Neck

07-04-2012, 01:10 PM

On offense, I have to take my adopted Texan: Chris Myers.

On defense, I'll take Mercilus.

Fili

07-04-2012, 01:15 PM

Defense: Quintin Demps - Haven't been paying attention to what he does for the defense, really.
Offense: Duane Brown - Possibly his last season and he should be playing for his contract. I think he'll be a Pro Bowler this year.

HouSportsWriter

07-04-2012, 02:02 PM

Preseason

Case Keenum
I liked him ever since collage ... Go Coogs

Regular season

Ben Tate

Ryan

07-04-2012, 02:04 PM

on Offense/Special Teams i'll also take the rook Keshawn Martin.

badboy

07-04-2012, 09:31 PM

Randy Bullock

I believe he will be the starting kicker for us this year.

Just a bit about him:Excellent CK and what I'm looking for. It is okay for other posters to share players as we want as much info flowing to us as possible. Thanks everyone and hopefully as others come back from holiday, we can get more involved.

ThaJokaa

07-04-2012, 09:39 PM

Preseason

Case Keenum
I liked him ever since collage ... Go Coogs

Regular season

Ben Tate

Beat me to it...

I'll take KJac n LeStar Jean

Lurvinator11

07-05-2012, 12:10 AM

You know something, On defense I want to go with the VET Mr. Bradie James!

On Offense I will take......Devier Posey. Hoping to see great things out of both of these kats

Wolf6151

07-05-2012, 01:40 AM

I'm going to take Rashad Butler-RT. This is a contract year for him since he'll be a FA at the end of the season and it's also his first chance to show what he can do for a whole season. He should have a great year since his future in the NFL depends on it and he'll be auditioning for the entire NFL this year. I've got very high hopes for Mr. Butler.

Texan_Bill

07-05-2012, 12:47 PM

I'll cover the cheerleaders!! :kitten:

ckhouston

07-05-2012, 01:32 PM

I'll un-cover the cheerleaders!! :kitten:

fify

beerlover

07-05-2012, 01:49 PM

YATES

All empty souls tend toward extreme opinions.

badboy

07-05-2012, 02:03 PM

Do we need to spell their name correctly or can we call 'em anything we want? Umm, like Walters or Posier?:kitten:

:DYou did not get that I combined parts of his first & last names to produce Posier (poser)? 23 you should get off the spelling and punctuation platform and try to see the fun in my stuff.

:runaway:

drs23

07-05-2012, 05:45 PM

You did not get that I combined parts of his first & last names to produce Posier (poser)? 23 you should get off the spelling and punctuation platform and try to see the fun in my stuff.

:runaway:

Yes Steve, I caught it. Din't ya see the big smiley at the end? Was just funnin' on a slow fourth on the farm. No ill will intended.

badboy

07-05-2012, 11:12 PM

Yes Steve, I caught it. Din't ya see the big smiley at the end? Was just funnin' on a slow fourth on the farm. No ill will intended.none taken! thought I was being clever but no one got it. Story of my life. lol

The Pencil Neck

07-05-2012, 11:41 PM

none taken! thought I was being clever but no one got it. Story of my life. lol

We got it.

Norg

07-06-2012, 07:02 AM

why dont we just get like 2 or 3 nerds to follow the hole team and post about it here... so we dont have 2 do nothing :P

badboy

07-06-2012, 05:30 PM

why dont we just get like 2 or 3 nerds to follow the hole team and post about it here... so we dont have 2 do nothing :P

I did not expect you to even read the thread let alone participate. lol This is more for folks who want to take a sport and personal interest in the Texans.

HouSportsWriter

07-06-2012, 06:07 PM

why dont we just get like 2 or 3 nerds to follow the hole team and post about it here... so we dont have 2 do nothing :P

Whole!

TimeKiller

07-06-2012, 06:16 PM

Well the one guy I wanted was Keyshawn Martin....

Brandon Brooks OG and Earl Mitchell DT for me.

ckhouston

07-06-2012, 06:40 PM

why dont we just get like 2 or 3 nerds to follow the hole team and post about it here... so we dont have 2 do nothing :P

Courtney Love is on the team?

badboy

07-06-2012, 10:07 PM

After length determination, I'm going with new DB ALan Ball 6'2" 197 LBs safety who Wade Phillips has said can shine as a CB. 27YOA could be in his prime after being cut by Cowboys. Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 168 40: 4.45 @ Illinois. http://illinois.scout.com/a.z?s=169&p=8&c=1&nid=2651966

We'll see if Wade continues his evaluation streak. At minimum, he'll push JJ to be better. At best, he will start.

powda

07-06-2012, 10:46 PM

Tj yates and jared crick.

KMG 365

07-07-2012, 12:17 AM

Garrett Graham and Brice McCain.

ATRAIN

07-08-2012, 11:17 AM

i call dibs on bryan brahman!

dammit!!

b0ng

07-09-2012, 12:20 AM

Whitney Mercilus.

Doppelganger

07-09-2012, 01:58 AM

I'll cover the cheerleaders!! :kitten:

Except Duyen. I will be very focused on Duyen coverage(and lack thereof) this season!

So what. It's not like its lined out that only one poster per player, and having more eyes on a player can generate good discussion of his abilities.

The Pencil Neck

07-09-2012, 05:52 PM

So what. It's not like its lined out that only one poster per player, and having more eyes on a player can generate good discussion of his abilities.

OK.

I thought it was 1 person per player.

No biggie.

Vinnie

07-10-2012, 10:08 AM

Jon Weeks

badboy

07-10-2012, 02:50 PM

My thought was fans can select the same player to allow plenty of coverage & to give more posters an ability to contribute.

There is not much good on my guy Alan Ball but here is a bit: 27th selection in seventh round; almost didn't get picked. Guy has size so hopefully Phillis is correct about him. As most know he floated between corner and safety with Dallas.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8491

b0ng

08-01-2012, 03:06 PM

Got a good look at Mercilus today at camp, guy is pretty quick. Pass rushing drills he got around the corner slightly faster than Reed with good waist bending. In 11's he definitely was quick and very active on plays. I know that the entire defense was having problems containing the run game, but he looked great rushing the passer. I saw him do 2 1-on-1 pass rush drills and he absolutely blew by the opposition.

I like him a lot more now that I've seen him live.

spurstexanstros

08-01-2012, 08:10 PM

I will take dude who fires cannon after scores...I hope he develops carpal tunnel from firing that thing so much.

badboy

08-01-2012, 08:56 PM

Here is some info on my guy Alan Ball :

“So we put Ball at safety and then Jenkins and Newman didn’t play worth a d— and I wish I would have kept Ball at corner for those guys that half a year, because they just played terrible for a while." This is Wade talking. Very interesting article as my read on Ball at Dallas was he was terrible. This explains why Phillips signed him.
http://www.stateofthetexans.com/?p=5555

JB

08-01-2012, 09:32 PM

Here is some info on my guy Alan Ball :

“So we put Ball at safety and then Jenkins and Newman didn’t play worth a d— and I wish I would have kept Ball at corner for those guys that half a year, because they just played terrible for a while." This is Wade talking. Very interesting article as my read on Ball at Dallas was he was terrible. This explains why Phillips signed him.
http://www.stateofthetexans.com/?p=5555

Hope that guy is right

badboy

08-01-2012, 10:57 PM

Hope that guy is rightMan, I do also. If our corners could become a strength that would be huge.

GlassHalfFull

08-01-2012, 11:10 PM

Can I get the hotties?

Brooks Reed aka Thor

still trying to come up with a hottie on O.

76Texan

08-02-2012, 04:51 PM

Here is some info on my guy Alan Ball :

“So we put Ball at safety and then Jenkins and Newman didn’t play worth a d— and I wish I would have kept Ball at corner for those guys that half a year, because they just played terrible for a while." This is Wade talking. Very interesting article as my read on Ball at Dallas was he was terrible. This explains why Phillips signed him.
http://www.stateofthetexans.com/?p=5555

I'm not putting too much stock into Alan Ball.

I watched his first 3 games from last season and he looks like a back-up to me.

He might make the team due his versatility, having played as nickel, boundary CB, and safety; but he needs to play better than what he showed last year to be of real help, IMO.

His veteran status might also help him land on the roster, but I'm not 100% positive he makes the team.

He played high in his stance, doesn't have a real backpedal.
He didn't show great hip flexibility to be able to react and turn quickly with receivers out of their break.
I can't tell much about his deep speed because of the cirscumstances he was in.
Overall, he played like the #4 CB on a Cowboys team that have an overall poor secondary.
The 3 guys ahead of him were dealing with injury at some point (Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick) and the young guys behind him were just not good.

I'll take Kareem Jackson!! I don't care what anyone says, he's gonna have a great year !

badboy

08-03-2012, 10:06 AM

I'm not putting too much stock into Alan Ball.

I watched his first 3 games from last season and he looks like a back-up to me.

He might make the team due his versatility, having played as nickel, boundary CB, and safety; but he needs to play better than what he showed last year to be of real help, IMO.

His veteran status might also help him land on the roster, but I'm not 100% positive he makes the team.

He played high in his stance, doesn't have a real backpedal.
He didn't show great hip flexibility to be able to react and turn quickly with receivers out of their break.
I can't tell much about his deep speed because of the cirscumstances he was in.
Overall, he played like the #4 CB on a Cowboys team that have an overall poor secondary.
The 3 guys ahead of him were dealing with injury at some point (Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick) and the young guys behind him were just not good.

That's why they drafted Morris Claibonrne and brought in Brandon Carr.My understanding from Wade Phillips is Alan played safety in Phillip's last season rather than corner. I did not watch Dallas this past season. Are you saying he played corner? I thought he was a back up and the reason they drafted Claiborne was the CB starters again played poorly. I thought Alan had little playing time at all in 2011, besides if KJ and McCain can improve under Texans DB coaching, I am hopeful Ball can.

BrandonLwowski

08-03-2012, 11:48 AM

I got Connor Barwin...He is my favorite player:fans:

RunninRaven

08-03-2012, 11:58 AM

Can I get the hotties?

Brooks Reed aka Thor

still trying to come up with a hottie on O.

I thought James Casey was the one nicknamed Thor?

ThaJokaa

08-03-2012, 12:03 PM

I'll take Kareem Jackson!! I don't care what anyone says, he's gonna have a great year !

Took him already

IBleedTexans

08-03-2012, 12:07 PM

Took him already

Yea I went back and seen that I'll take Roc Carmichael, and Derek Newton

infantrycak

08-03-2012, 12:18 PM

Took him already

Yea I went back and seen that I'll take Roc Carmichael, and Derek Newton

It is OK for more than one person to take a player. The OP wanted more than one set of eyes.

IBleedTexans

08-03-2012, 12:21 PM

It is OK for more than one person to take a player. The OP wanted more than one set of eyes.

No biggie . Just great to see there's more than 3 posters the want kj to succeed ! I'm really pulling for him , will even buy his jersey this year

spurstexanstros

08-03-2012, 02:23 PM

Ill take my boy Owen "Open" Daniels. Best tight end in the league

NastyNate

08-04-2012, 04:55 PM

Brice McCain is going to take a huge step forward this year.

On offense I'm loving the potential of Keyshawn Martin as a bigtime slot receiver.

Texn4life

08-04-2012, 06:15 PM

I'll take Sherrick McManis and Devier Posey.

Since they probably won't play starter's snaps in the regular season I'll also take Rashard Butler and Bradie James for the regular season.

76Texan

08-04-2012, 06:39 PM

My understanding from Wade Phillips is Alan played safety in Phillip's last season rather than corner. I did not watch Dallas this past season. Are you saying he played corner? I thought he was a back up and the reason they drafted Claiborne was the CB starters again played poorly. I thought Alan had little playing time at all in 2011, besides if KJ and McCain can improve under Texans DB coaching, I am hopeful Ball can.

Ball was a reserved at both CB and safety in 09.
He played mostly ST.

Wade moved him to safety in 2010 when the Cowboys decided not to resign Ken Hamlin (big mistake - I mentioned this last year when I looked at Wade's defense in 2010.)
Ball played poorly there, but he didn't have much experience to begin with.
2010 Starter: Alan Ball (free safety)
"Where some corners adapt well when moved to free safety (see: the Saints’ Malcolm Jenkins), Ball fared quite poorly. His -9.7 rating placed him 78th amongst the 85 safeties who played in at least 25% of their team’s snaps, and he showed virtually no ballhawking ability whatsoever (his two interceptions and one pass-defensed would represent a strong half for the Ravens’ Ed Reed). As a result, Ball is moving back to corner, where he’ll likely be battling Scandrick for playing time in the nickel and dime defenses."

Last year, they brought in Abram Elam to play FS and moved Ball back to CB.
He was the #4 and played quite a bit (498 snaps) since Newman, Jenkins, and Scandrick all had some form of injuries.
http://bloggingthebeast.com/2012/02/20/full-season-snap-count-notes-cowboys-defense/

b0ng

08-05-2012, 12:12 PM

I'll take Sherrick McManis and Devier Posey.

Since they probably won't play starter's snaps in the regular season I'll also take Rashard Butler and Bradie James for the regular season.

McManis has looked really good this TC. He's had a few plays where he was picked on but he's also made quite a few plays too. He's bigger than McCain as well which is a plus.

badboy

08-09-2012, 12:26 PM

Now TC has started, anyone else want to select a player to report on? Those of you who have a player, anything to report? Don't forget to search for info that the rest of us may have missed. There are several guys no one has chosen.

badboy

08-10-2012, 02:35 PM

Interesting article on Brandon Harris, not sure if any of you chose him?
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/08/after-disappointing-rookie-year-harris-making-impact-for-texans/

I think he’s about 10 pounds lighter. He’s changed his body. He’s a very bright guy. He’s got a high football IQ.

“He had a great spring. He’s having a great camp, and I’m excited about him. He’s not a 4.3 guy. He’s a 4.5 guy, but with his football IQ, he’s going to play a long time.”

This from Vance Joseph.

Lurvinator11

08-10-2012, 07:24 PM

I'll take Sherrick McManis and Devier Posey.

Since they probably won't play starter's snaps in the regular season I'll also take Rashard Butler and Bradie James for the regular season.

I already got Devier Posey. Sorry buddy.

infantrycak

08-10-2012, 07:29 PM

I already got Devier Posey. Sorry buddy.

Read the OP. Multiple people can have the same player. The more eyes evaluating a player the better.

Lurvinator11

08-10-2012, 10:35 PM

Read the OP. Multiple people can have the same player. The more eyes evaluating a player the better.

Ah. I was under the impression that it was one player per person. My bad.

badboy

08-11-2012, 08:38 PM

Looks like I may have to choose another player as Ball deserves to be cut after this first game. "tell me no lies and keep your hands to yourself" would be good song for him.

Ryan

08-11-2012, 08:40 PM

Both my guys Brandon Harris and Keshawn get solid grades. Give Harris a B+ and Keshawn an A-.

badboy

08-11-2012, 09:43 PM

Both my guys Brandon Harris and Keshawn get solid grades. Give Harris a B+ and Keshawn an A-.yeah I like Martin but Harris was a guy I had mocked and was stunned to see Smith trade back up into 2nd round to get him. I was dancing around the living room like George Michael at his first disco.

The Pencil Neck

08-11-2012, 11:13 PM

Chris Myers played the first quarter. He looked good. No obvious issues. Moved some guys out of the way.

Mercilus came in at the end of the 1st with the rest of the 2s and then played through the beginning of the 4th. He played the weakside. He got a sack and a half and really touched the QB 3x. He's stronger than I expected. He drove a couple of those tackles back and then shed them. When we went 4 down, he had his hands on the ground and on one of those plays, he had a nice stunt to get some pressure up the middle. I was surprised to see him dropping off into coverage several times. He showed a really good motor; when there were passes, he'd peel off coverage and then hustle down to the receiver. When there were running plays, he pursued. He did get eaten up a couple of times on the run plays but he was more of a load than I expected him to be.

The bottom line is that he did not look lost out there.

badboy

08-11-2012, 11:18 PM

Chris Myers played the first quarter. He looked good. No obvious issues. Moved some guys out of the way.

Mercilus came in at the end of the 1st with the rest of the 2s and then played through the beginning of the 4th. He played the weakside. He got a sack and a half and really touched the QB 3x. He's stronger than I expected. He drove a couple of those tackles back and then shed them. When we went 4 down, he had his hands on the ground and on one of those plays, he had a nice stunt to get some pressure up the middle. I was surprised to see him dropping off into coverage several times. He showed a really good motor; when there were passes, he'd peel off coverage and then hustle down to the receiver. When there were running plays, he pursued. He did get eaten up a couple of times on the run plays but he was more of a load than I expected him to be.

The bottom line is that he did not look lost out there.what I saw also. I still think Barwin is gone after season.

b0ng

08-13-2012, 11:55 AM

So, Mr. Mercilus got a lot of work in the game Saturday night. Just a few observations and I'll probably re-watch him again before our next preseason game.

Against the run, he didn't really do much to impress me. He's fairly quick but he didn't seem powerful to not get pushed around a little bit. He did drop into coverage once that I can remember and just kinda covered an empty spot in the field nobody around, the play was to the opposite side of him so it's no harm no foul.

He was decent as a pass rusher, but I got the feeling that Wade was throwing out more blitzes than what we are used to seeing in the preseason. He did make some good stops and the 1.5 sacks was very nice. His first sack he straight pushed the RT backwards about 5 yards then just lunged/jumped inside to grab Derek Anderson. The .5 sack was a nice quick run around the arc on the LT and fortunately the rest of the Panthers O-line gave up the ghost and let everybody through to party on Clausen.

Overall though I'm encouraged and I do think he will make an impact this season, but with Reed and Barwin ahead of him (And Braman looks pretty damn good himself) he's not going to start, and that is probably a good thing.

KMG 365

08-13-2012, 01:04 PM

Quick comment on my two players Garrett Graham and Brice McCain from the first preseason game.

Graham was targeted four times. Had three catches for 44 yards. Kubiak has been talking him up during training camp. Here's what he said about Graham yesterday:

(on TE Garrett Graham) “Well, he’s a very much-improved player, and we’ve seen that the last two weeks; it didn’t just happen last night. He’s come a long way. He’s bigger, stronger, he’s faster. He’s had a great offseason with (strength and conditioning coach) Cedric (Smith). Cedric really did a heck of a job with him. And if he continues to step the way he has in his first few weeks, it’s going to be a really nice year for him. I’ve been very impressed with his play.”

Brice McCain had three tackles with one assisted tackle. That scramble by Cam Newton up the middle for 15 yards before sliding, McCain was the first to touch him, so he got credited for the tackle.

badboy

09-06-2012, 09:52 AM

Hey it's game one and almost no one is posting on their players. Come on dudes, where is your input? lol I was very surprised to see the guy I selected to make the roster. At 6'2" 197 pounds 27 YOA he should be in his prime, but prime what I am not sure. Mutterings on the radio as I station hop, say he has gotten better but would he not have to? I thought the whole purpose of signing him was he was familiar with Wade's system and was a vet. Could have fooled me. I hope to eat crow and he develops.
Alan Ball cornerback (well, maybe)